What to do if You Break Down

No matter how well you look after your car, you’ll never be certain that it won’t break down at some point – and you’ll not be able to predict when or where.

If or when the time comes for mechanical failure, preparation can make it as trouble-free and safe as possible. This is particularly important for lone female motorists, who are especially vulnerable after dark and on isolated roads.

Breakdown services

The simplest and most obvious step to take is to join a motoring organisation such as the AA or the RAC, both of which provide an affordable service and promise a swift response to your breakdown 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Both also offer 24-hour emergency breakdown numbers. These are for members only, but you can join either organisation on the spot for about £65 to £90 more than the price of basic cover.

This mark-up might seem hefty, but it will give you breakdown cover for a year, proving better value than the police, who will charge you a minimum £105 for simply moving you and your vehicle from the motorway or other road to a place of safety. It will cost even more if you want to be taken home or moved to a particular destination.

A local garage will usually ask for about £40 in call-out fees, plus £1.50 for every mile you want to be towed.

Survival kit

Whoever your rescuer might be, you’ll have to wait a while before they arrive. So it’s advisable to keep a ‘survival kit’ prepared. For the winter, a blanket or heavy coat is a good idea – after all, your car’s heater won’t work if the engine isn’t running. Cold drinks are essential for hot days.

You’ll also need a torch, change for a public phone (remember that in many more remote or hilly parts of the country mobile phones will not work), a reflective vest for when you are out of the car, and an orange warning triangle to alert other drivers that you have broken down. A road atlas will keep you aware of what junction you are closest to.

On the motorway

If you suffer a fault on the motorway, try to steer on to the hard shoulder and turn on your hazard lights. Also switch on your sidelights in low-light conditions – but turn them off again if your battery begins to wane. Get out of the car on the passenger side, put on your reflective vest and place your warning triangle at least 50 metres behind your vehicle.

Even if you have a mobile, it is best to use one of the roadside SOS telephones in orange boxes. They are linked to a motorway police call centre that can pinpoint your exact location and will pass on your details to your motoring organisation if you require (though you can contact the AA or RAC directly, too, just to be extra sure). Blue and white marker posts decorated with arrows will show you the direction of the nearest SOS phone.

While you and your passengers wait to be rescued, keep safe by sitting on the grass verge above the hard shoulder. It is not unknown for distracted motorists to collide with broken down cars.

Should you break down in the outside lane and can only make it to the central reservation, use your mobile to call 999 and your breakdown service provider. Don’t cross the motorway to the hard shoulder unless you are absolutely sure that it is safe to do so.

If you can’t use your mobile or you don’t have one, you will have to wait for another motorist to report your breakdown or for a passing police patrol car to find you. Be prepared for a long wait.

Off the motorway

Follow the same safety procedures such as getting out on the passenger side and putting up your warning triangle (if it is safe to do so). If possible, someone should stand behind the car to alert oncoming traffic.

If you have adult passengers or can rely on the help of fellow motorists you can try to wheel your car off the road. Call for a recovery vehicle, and only dial 999 if you are in danger or causing a hazard.

Wait for help as far off the road as possible. This even goes for lone women, who are more likely to be hit by vehicle than be assaulted. However, if you do feel threatened, get into your car and lock the doors. Do not accept lifts from strangers.